I also served in Afghanistan. Mazari-Shariff in Nov 2001.I'm deeply pained by your anxiety. May God lift your spirits for even a moment, I'm so sorry for the pain you're experiencing.May God bless you and your family, and I cannot wait till you get your service person back safely in your arms.I'll include your child in my prayers...God Bless all of you <3

It's not really appropriate to wish someone a happy Memorial Day. That's almost like wishing them a happy 9/11. It's a somber day of remembrance of those who died, and a day to decorate the graves of the fallen.

This is the problem in this Country today with millenials. They have never lived through a war, never drafted to protect this Country many have never lost a loved one serving their Country!

I have lost 2 brothers due to Korean and Vietnam wars.

Memorial day IS set aside to HONOR those whom gave their lives that we as a Nation can be free!

While they fight for the right of "Freedom of Speech" it does not mean that ALL "Speech is Right".

It is not a "Happy Memorial Day! We honor the "Fallen" on this day, that served their Country, not Americans that are still living. Dagan McDowell said it best today, "We are the Land of the Free, because of those from the Home of the Brave"!

Americans treat this day as a Holiday with picnics, and fun and to enjoy a day off. Those whom gave their lives have no more Family picnics, no more days off, no more Holidays with their Families.

Americans, Millenials, what else has to happen? How many more lives must be lost before you understand the real cost of our Freedom and what this day really signifies?

My heart is sad and heavy that my two brothers sacrificed their lives and we have young adults in this Country that do not understand or truly appreciate the cost of their freedom and what Memorial Day really represents!

America, my brothers did not sacrifice their lives so you can have a day off work, enjoy the Holiday or have a picnic with your Family. They sacrificed their lives for Americans to enjoy freedom, not socialism, communism but Freedom!

This is not a day to wish the "Living" a "Happy Memorial Day".

An apology needs to be made for this "heartless" posting wishing Americans a "Happy Memorial day". Perhaps a poem or asking everyone to stop and observe a moment of silence or PRAYER for our Men and Women serving in the Military in this Country and around the world would have been a more appropriate blog today!

That would have been an appropriate post on the Duggar blog and any other blog today!

My heart goes out to all, whom have sacrificed the life of their loved one, and we honor each of the "Fallen" and their Families for their sacrifice!

Duggar Blog, you state that you do not post anything that is "insulting, derogatory, or in poor taste". I would have to say that wishing your readers a "Happy Memorial Day" is derogatory, insulting and in poor taste!

This is a day that we remember "The Fallen, the permanently injured, Our Vetrans, and their Families!

I am offended at this post today! I know you try hard to post positive blogs. Did you even think about how the blog today would be perceived by Families that have made the ultimate sacrifice? Nothing "Happy" about losing your loved ones to war. Very insensitive blig today. My heart tells me that many Americans do not understand, comprehend nor appreciate the true purpose of "Memorial Day". How very sad!

@12:06– millennial here. Not all of us are clueless. My grandfather served in Korea. I grew up hearing his stories. My brother graduated from one of the service academies (keeping confidential to protect our family) and has done countless deployments with special forces. I wake up every day and pray that no matter where he is, he will return home safely. Additionally, as a historian, I have focused my learning and research on the military. I even have a guest lecture on the Tomb of the Unknown soldier at a local historical society. Please remember that not all of us are clueless.

The only time you could justifiably tie a picnic to this day was right after the Civil War when Memorial Day was referred to as Decoration Day. Families went to cemeteries to honor the dead and to decorate their graves. Yes, they had picnics there. I would imagine with the time it took to ride out in horse and carriage to a cemetery in those days, they would have needed to take along a lunch and eat it on the spot. But these days, we don't have to think of Memorial Day as the "picnic" day, and we should remember its purpose.

12:06, many of the fallen are Millenials. The current Iraq and Afghanistan wars have been faught by Millenials. The oldest of the Millenials enlisted after September 11th. They did that because they had pride of country and wanted to defend our liberty rather than the government telling them they had to serve. I saw college classmates who were in the reserve sent to war when the US occupied Iraq. There may not be a draft but their blood is being shed. Please have respect for those servicemen and women currently in service. Those enlisted under 35 are Millenials and put their lives on the line everyday.While you may have thought the wording of the post was disrespectful, your words about Millenials and how you perceive them was heartbreaking.

Baby boomers and the elderly should be PRAISING GOD for millennials who are funding their lifestyle in retirement yet will receive nothing from Social Security when their time comes. If millennials need to "wake up" about only one thing, it's that they all should be in the streets REVOLTING against paying into a defunct pyramid scheme that equates to robbery. Enough with the ridiculous, ignorant millennial-bashing. You fogies should be millennial worshipers.

Anons at 8:56 am and 10:50 am: I am also offended by the poster at 1206 am tarring all Millenials with the same brush. I am technically not a Millenial as I was born in the 1970s, but I know family and friends who are Millenials and in the armed forces. I pray never to get that message every military family dreads, that my loved ones were killed in action.

And while I agree wishing for a Happy Memorial Day is inappropriate, there also was a reference to those service people who have made the ultimate sacrifice. It's not like Ellie stated something clueless like "I hope everyone enjoyed their day off and had a picnic!"

You Americans sure are touchy. In Canada, we say Happy Remembrance Day on November 11 every year. It is sombre yet we remember. I have relatives who died in war and I have never ever heard at school or in the community of being yelled at (basically you are yelling at the blogger) for acknowledging a day to remember war.

First, let me say that I'm grateful for the ultimate sacrifice made by your two brothers.

Secondly, my husband and I are both millennials, which simply means that we were born between 1981-1996. We both deployed to Afghanistan. Most of my coworkers are millennials. Some are a bit older (generation X) and some are a bit younger (generation Z).

Please do not assume that millennials "are the problem in this country today" or that we are unaware the cost of freedom.

With all due respect, I may have more firsthand experience about what that cost is than you do, even though I'm a millennial.

My goodness 3:08, what a statement! I'm so glad my tax money went to pay for your schools, your roads, your infrastructure, your health care programs & research, your federally-funded "safety net" programs, and your national defense, the whole time you were growing up. All so you could someday complain about my Social Security online so eloquently. Glad your generation is known for scrimping and saving money like mad, has Roth IRA's, and makes maximum contributions to your 401K's. Sounds like you're gonna need it!

Anon 3:08 - EXCUSE ME! We Baby Boomers have earned our way, as did the generation before us. Most of us pay our taxes and our dues into the Social Security System. I thank God for the gifts given me to earn my way through life, with enough to help others. To lump all people, such as millennial, into a category is wrong, and you just did the same with the Baby Boomers.

@11:28 In Canada, no one says Happy Remembrance Day. It is a sober, working day..no holiday. We all keep a moment of silence at 11am, no matter where we are and what we are doing. We wear our poppies and are encouraged to honour the sacrifices of our arm forces, including those lost in armed conflicts and in peace keeping tours.

Remembrance Day is not a day to remember war but a day to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. That is why the main ceremony, with the GG, PM and others including a mother of a fallen soldier chosen to represent all the mothers is held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the heart of our capital. That morning day, the downtown core of the city is shut down but afterwards it is back to work.

But yes, you are right. Canadians would not yell at another Canadian who used the word Happy. They would quietly take the person aside and educate them, as I am doing now.

Memorial Day is not the official day to honor the currently enlisted soldiers. That is Armed Forces Week, Armed Forces Day (which just passed), or any event deemed "Military Appreciation Day." Memorial Day honors those who died in service. Veteran's Day honors those who have served in the past. Yes, we should always be thankful to those currently serving the country. But we should set aside Memorial Day for thoughts of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for freedom and are no longer with us.

To: AnonymousMay 29, 2018 at 9:07 AM You are correct. This is to honor the fallen who died serving our country. However, the retailers like to sell lots of wreaths and people rush out to make sure all the graves of all family members are decorated on this day.

Also, let's all remember that the 4th of July is NOT for Veterans, living or dead. It celebrates our independence from Great Britain.

Veterans Day is 11-11 and we celebrate at 11:00 here.

There is also a Salute to Hospitalized Veterans in Feb and we do things for Veterans on Valentine's Day. And as mentioned above Armed Forces Week, Armed Forces Day (which just passed)and we have several other events deemed "Military Appreciation Day.

I have no idea why people are not happy with the greeting of Happy Memorial Day. If you google happy memorial day and click on images bam...piles of them come up all using that term. It's like normal!!!

For gold star families... it’s generally not a happy day. We are keenly aware of what this day means and while we try to focus on the happy memories, it’s still sad that your loved one isn’t there with you.

4:02 there are numerous families who have lost loved ones in wars fighting for our country and freedoms. Memorial day was set aside by our government to pay respect for the soldiers who gave their lives for us. The family left behind need our prayers of support. There's nothing happy about grief.

4:02, my dad almost died on his second tour to Iraq, and he lost four friends his first tour. You may not understand what this day means to military families, but please be respectful to those who do. Like someone said above, saying “Happy Memorial Day” is the same as saying “Happy September 11th!” You would never do that (at least I hope you wouldn’t) so please be equally respectful on this day.

Anynomous 10:37Am,I'm so sorry you had to go through such a trying experience, I truly mean that. I was a female service member that waited till retirement to have kids. Thank you so much for sharing your POV.Love in God TSgt (select) jessica cokely

We don't have memorial day in the UK instead we have remembrance day (11/11) and remembrance sunday which is the closest sunday to 11/11, on both days the whole country observes a minutes silence and poppy wreaths are laid at memorials all over the country. We would never wish someone a 'happy remembrance day', so it does sound odd but perhaps its because its a public holiday that people forget the real reason behind it which is sad.

"The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month." My father's VFW post always wore red poppies that day and gave them out to others. I have a picture of my grandfather in his WWI uniform. He and Grandma married shortly after he was back from the war and my father, who was a WWII veteran himself, came along a year later. Those men and all the others are not forgotten. "In Flanders fields..."

12:53 — I’m a frequent reader as well as a member of a gold star family. There is nothing “happy” about Memorial Day for me. I’m not trying to “spread hate”, as you suggest. I’m trying to help others see things from a new perspective and see how saying “Happy Memorial Day” is hurtful to many!

I agree that "Happy Memorial Day" is inappropriate, but gently pointing it out should be sufficient. Many people are so terribly offended by everything these days. She did not mean any harm or disrespect.

Ellie, no need to post unless you want to but I read these posts and think of the pain behind them. Often when we lose someone we need something to lash out against. When we grieve, most generally feel like people don't understand. That feeling is heightened by military families who know why their loved one died was so that each and every American can live the life they have. Some Americans celebrate on Memorial Day enjoying picnics, family and friends. Enjoying the life and freedom servicemen died to protect. Others mourn the family and friends. Neither is right. Neither is wrong. The post chose to focus on the positive, that we are free to live with our family and friends. To the posters: As you mourn, know that it is ok to be angry and to want everyone to mourn with you to feel that the world just can't continue with normalcy or celebrate. Know that most feel your loss and have respect even when enjoying their family perhaps a little more on this holiday weekend. May you feel the Lord's peace as you continue on your journey.

You still don't wish someone a "happy" day of remembrance and mourning! Even if they're going on a picnic. That is not the reason for the day! The mourning is supposed to be country-wide, not limited to only the families who have lost relatives. Those people died defending everyone. We are ALL supposed to remember them on Memorial Day!

You're completely correct in your convictions.But, unfortunately, most people confuse vets day, Patriots day,armed services day and memorial day and collaborate them to 1, not to mention 4th of july.Please keep a soften heart!Jess

I myself am a retired USAF retired Veteran (serving during 9/11 attacks, deployed to Afghanistan Nov 2001), married to a Marine, and both my mom and dad served during the Vietnam Conflict. It's a family tradition to donate to the Amercian Legion each year to proudly wear that year's poppy flower, and when other notice it, they sometimes inquire about any service connectiins and usually shake my hand and say "happy memorial day." I personally regard it as a substitute for "thank-you for your service", which is the most intimate term of gratitude that most civilians can come up with, and I understand that they mean to thank me and my family for serving. To those that lost family and friends in the line of service, I understand how saying "happy" can be insulting. I just try to put myself in their shoes... they truly think Memorial Day is a day of showing our gratitude to those that served (maybe getting confused with Veterans Day)... but they're just trying to thank us for our time served. By those that are offended by having a friend or family member KIA, me included, it may sting a bit, but just remember your audience. Someone is simply trying to convey their appreciation for those that sacrificed, not really knowing that it's a day that is a somber day of remembering those that paid the ultimate price.Next time you say "happy Easter", I urge you to reflect on the same sentiment.So please be kind to those that are misinformed; perhaps suggest they tune in to the media coverage of the ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, or privately take a moment of silence and reflection of the families and loved ones that paid the ultimate price.I find it kinda sickening that there's so much animosity over a very well-intended post.Christ be with you,Ssg Cokely

I began to write down the anonymous poster names and times to address them personally to thank them, very directly to say that, from the depths of my heart, I am so grateful for their family member's service, that tragically ended with them paying the ultimate sacrafice.I get choked up and have a heavy heart every Memorial Day... I served with so many beautiful, wonderful individuals that didn't make it.I'm just begging everyone that has posted remember that this is a very sensitive subject. Please don't poke at millenials or baby boomers or ANYONE... we are all people that live in an amazing country where we are allowed to even have this kind of discussion... and it's due to service members, fallen or otherwise, though personally I grieve nearly daily (survivors guilt? The VA calls it PTSD) for my friends that were either KIA or committed suicide; either by directly by taking their own lives or by developing alcohol or substance abuse issues, by not being able to process their grief. The family members that got the horrible knock at their doorstep with Commanders in Dress Uniform and Chaplains may never be able to deal with the pain of that day, and I would never expect them to.Please, PLEASE, let us all remember that God's love is eternal and ever-lasting. Let's not focus on targeting generational gaps, I'm a gen-xer, and admire the silent generation, baby-boomers, and Mellenials for their unique experiences and perspectives. I suspect God would not wish for us to judge (He is THE Judge) or cut each others throats verbally over a title in a blog that meant to say "thanks" that has been so misinterpreted.Thank-you for every family, friend, and loved one that experienced loss, and I pray for you (and me) every single morning. I'm so sorry for those that lost a loved one(s).God Bless you, I will continue to pray for us, and please don't attack those that are mis-informed about the meaning of Memorial Day... Love in Christ

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Welcome to the premiere source for factual, encouraging updates on Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar and their 19 kids (TLC's 19 Kids and Counting & Counting On). Our site is not maintained by the Duggars, but we (Lily and Ellie) are personal friends of the family.